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What to Serve With Taco Bar: 15 Best Side Dishes

Creating the perfect taco bar involves not just great tacos but also the right sides to elevate the meal. Mexican rice, with its savory blend of tomatoes, onions, and garlic, is a classic choice. Refried beans offer a hearty touch, while street corn salad adds vibrant, tangy flavors. Don't forget the creamy guacamole for a nutritious dip, and the fresh lemon zesty pico de gallo. Other fantastic options include crisp Mexican slaw, fresh salsa, and crunchy tortilla chips. Elote, or Mexican street corn, rounds out these delicious options beautifully. For more delectable side dishes that will enhance your taco bar, keep exploring!

Mexican Rice

spicy flavorful tomato based dish

Mexican rice, a staple side dish in traditional Mexican cuisine, enhances the taco bar experience with its rich flavors and vibrant colors.

Flavor variations can include ingredients like tomatoes, onions, and garlic, while cooking techniques often involve sautéing rice before simmering it in broth.

This process guarantees a delightful texture and taste, making Mexican rice a perfect accompaniment to any taco assortment.

Refried Beans

mexican cuisine side dish

Complementing the rich flavors of Mexican rice, refried beans offer a creamy and hearty addition to the taco bar. With numerous bean variations available, you can choose from classic pinto beans to black bean options.

While canned refried beans provide convenience, preparing them from scratch allows for customization with spices and herbs, providing a delicious, homemade touch to your taco bar.

Street Corn Salad

delicious mexican inspired summer dish

Why not elevate your taco bar with a vibrant and tangy Street Corn Salad, a dish that brings the authentic flavors of Mexican street food to your spread?

This delightful side features crisp corn kernels mixed with a creamy dressing and topped with crumbled cheese.

The combination of textures and flavors provides an invigorating contrast, making it a perfect accompaniment to your tacos.

Guacamole

chunky avocado dip recipe

Guacamole, with its creamy texture and rich flavor, serves as a quintessential addition to any taco bar, enhancing each bite with its invigorating taste.

This versatile dip offers numerous guacamole variations, from classic recipes to those with added fruits like mango.

Its health benefits, including healthy fats and essential vitamins, make it a delicious and nutritious choice, ensuring guests enjoy both flavor and wellness.

Pico De Gallo

delicious homemade salsa recipe

Another staple for any taco bar, Pico de Gallo offers a fresh and zesty contrast with its blend of ripe tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice.

This traditional recipe is simple yet flavorful, making it a perfect accompaniment.

For serving suggestions, consider pairing it with tortilla chips, spooning it over tacos, or even mixing it with avocado for an enhanced dip.

Queso Dip

melty cheese and chips

Queso Dip, with its creamy texture and rich, cheesy flavor, is an irresistible addition to any taco bar. Offering a delightful blend of cheese varieties, this dip is perfect for enhancing your dining experience.

Opt for smooth dipping techniques to savor every bite. Whether paired with tortilla chips or drizzled over tacos, queso dip elevates the overall enjoyment of your meal.

Avocado Fries

crispy avocado snack recipe

For a crunchy and creamy side that complements the rich flavors of queso dip, avocado fries are an innovative choice for your taco bar.

Packed with avocado nutrition, these fries offer a healthful alternative to traditional options.

Serve them with a variety of dipping sauces to enhance their delightful taste, making them a hit among guests who crave both flavor and nourishment.

Black Bean Salad

healthy and flavorful side dish

A vibrant Black Bean Salad adds an invigorating, protein-packed option to your taco bar, balancing the richer flavors with its zesty and fresh ingredients.

This dish features black beans mixed with colorful veggies like red bell peppers, corn, and cherry tomatoes. Tossed in a light lime dressing, it's a revitalizing addition that brings both color and nutrition to your spread.

Cilantro Lime Rice

zesty rice side dish

Cilantro Lime Rice offers an invigorating and citrusy complement to your taco bar, enhancing the overall flavor profile with its rejuvenating zest.

This side dish uses a simple cooking method involving rice, fresh cilantro, and lime juice.

Not only is it easy to prepare, but it also provides health benefits like essential vitamins and antioxidants, making it a nutritious addition to your meal.

Churros

delicious fried dough treat

Churros serve as a delightful and sweet conclusion to your taco bar, offering a crispy exterior and a soft, doughy interior dusted with cinnamon sugar.

Explore churro variations such as filled or twisted styles for added excitement.

Complement them with dipping sauces like rich chocolate, caramel, or even fruit purees, ensuring a memorable and satisfying end to your taco feast.

Grilled Vegetables

healthy summer barbecue option

Guaranteeing the sweetness of churros, grilled vegetables bring a savory and smoky depth to your taco bar, offering a healthy and flavorful side dish option.

Vegetable skewers, featuring colorful bell peppers and onions, add vibrant appeal.

Grilled zucchini, with its tender texture and mild flavor, complements tacos perfectly.

These grilled delights secure that your taco bar is both nutritious and visually appealing, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Mexican Slaw

spicy cabbage salad recipe

Adding an invigorating crunch to your taco bar, Mexican slaw combines crisp vegetables with a zesty dressing to create a vibrant and flavorful side dish.

This delightful blend features a cabbage mix, which brings a rejuvenating texture, and a tangy dressing that enhances the overall taste.

Perfectly balancing the rich flavors of tacos, it adds a revitalizing and colorful element to your meal.

Fresh Salsa

spicy tomato and onion

Bursting with flavor, fresh salsa is a quintessential accompaniment that elevates the taste of any taco bar.

Whether you opt for a zesty salsa verde or an invigorating fruit salsa, these vibrant options add a delightful contrast to savory tacos.

Salsa verde, with its tangy tomatillo base, and fruit salsa, offering a sweet twist, provide a dynamic range of flavors to enhance your taco experience.

Tortilla Chips

crunchy snack with salsa

A taco bar is incomplete without crispy tortilla chips, which serve as the perfect vehicle for enjoying an array of dips and salsas. From classic guacamole to spicy salsa varieties, these chips complement every flavor.

Offering chip dips like queso or bean dip enhances the experience, making tortilla chips an essential, versatile addition that guests will unquestionably enjoy.

What Side Dishes Can Also Be Served With a Taco Bar?

When hosting a taco bar, the best side dishes for subs party are guacamole, chips, and salsa, as they complement the flavors of the tacos perfectly. Other great options include Mexican street corn, black beans, or a refreshing side salad. These sides will elevate the taco bar and satisfy all your guests.

Elote (Mexican Street Corn)

grilled corn with toppings

Elote, or Mexican street corn, offers a delightful blend of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors that enhance any taco bar. The varied spice levels can be adjusted to suit all palates, making it a versatile dish.

Simple cooking techniques, such as grilling and coating with mayonnaise, cheese, and chili powder, guarantee an easy yet flavorful addition that complements tacos beautifully.